Solar PV Analysis of Sunderland, United Kingdom
The location in Sunderland, England, United Kingdom is not the most ideal for year-round solar energy production due to its position in the Northern Temperate Zone. However, it can still generate a significant amount of energy from solar panels, particularly during the summer and spring seasons.
In simpler terms, if you have a 1 kilowatt (kW) solar panel system installed at this location, you can expect to generate about 4.99 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of energy per day during the summer and about 4.28 kWh/day in spring. This means that these two seasons are the most productive times of year for generating solar power at this site.
However, during autumn and winter months when there's less sunlight available due to shorter days and more cloud coverage, your system will produce less power - around 1.94 kWh/day in autumn and just 0.86 kWh/day in winter.
To maximize total yearly production from your solar panels at this location they should be tilted at an angle of approximately 46 degrees facing South. This ensures that they are optimally positioned to capture as much sunlight as possible throughout different times of day and throughout different seasons.
Environmental factors such as weather conditions could potentially impede solar production at this location since Sunderland experiences quite a bit of rain throughout all four seasons which could limit sun exposure on some days. Furthermore, being located near North Sea coast could mean more frequent foggy or overcast conditions which might also reduce sun exposure on certain days.
As far as topography goes Sunderland is relatively flat so there shouldn't be any issues with hills or mountains blocking sunlight but depending on specific site buildings or trees might cast shadows over panels reducing their efficiency.
To counteract these potential impediments to optimal power generation from your solar panels it would be beneficial to install them in an area that has minimal shade throughout all hours of daylight - away from tall buildings or large trees if possible. Also, regular maintenance and cleaning of the panels will ensure they remain as efficient as possible even when weather conditions are not ideal. Regular checks should also be made to ensure that panels are not being damaged by coastal salt spray or bird droppings, both of which could reduce their effectiveness.
Note: The Northern Temperate Zone extends from 35° latitude North up to 66.5° latitude.
So far, we have conducted calculations to evaluate the solar photovoltaic (PV) potential in 911 locations across United Kingdom. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.
Link: Solar PV potential in United Kingdom by location
Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Sunderland
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 54.8534, Longitude: -1.5147 (Sunderland, United Kingdom), based on our analysis of 8760 hourly intervals of solar and meteorological data (one whole year) retrieved for that set of coordinates/location from NASA POWER (The Prediction of Worldwide Energy Resources) API:
Ideally tilt fixed solar panels 46° South in Sunderland, United Kingdom
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Sunderland, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 54.8534, -1.5147) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 46° South for fixed panel installations.
As the Earth revolves around the Sun each year, the maximum angle of elevation of the Sun varies by +/- 23.45 degrees from its equinox elevation angle for a particular latitude. Finding the exact optimal angle to maximise solar PV production throughout the year can be challenging, but with careful consideration of historical solar energy and meteorological data for a certain location, it can be done precisely.
We use our own calculation, which incorporates NASA solar and meteorological data for the exact Lat/Long coordinates, to determine the ideal tilt angle of a solar panel that will yield maximum annual solar output. We calculate the optimal angle for each day of the year, taking into account its contribution to the yearly total PV potential at that specific location.
Seasonally adjusted solar panel tilt angles for Sunderland, United Kingdom
If you can adjust the tilt angle of your solar PV panels, please refer to the seasonal tilt angles below for optimal solar energy production in Sunderland, United Kingdom. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 46° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 38° South in Summer | 58° South in Autumn | 68° South in Winter | 47° South in Spring |
Our recommendations take into account more than just latitude and Earth's position in its elliptical orbit around the Sun. We also incorporate historical solar and meteorological data from NASA's Prediction of Worldwide Energy Resources (POWER) API to assign a weight to each ideal angle for each day based on its historical contribution to overall solar PV potential during a specific season.
This approach allows us to provide much more accurate recommendations than relying solely on latitude, as it considers unique weather conditions in different locations sharing the same latitude worldwide.
Calculate solar panel row spacing in Sunderland, United Kingdom
We've added a feature to calculate minimum solar panel row spacing by location. Enter your panel size and orientation below to get the minimum spacing in Sunderland, United Kingdom.
Our calculation method
- Solar Position:
We determine the Sun's position on the Winter solstice using the location's latitude and solar declination. - Shadow Projection:
We calculate the shadow length cast by panels using trigonometry, considering panel tilt and the Sun's elevation angle. - Minimum Spacing:
We add the shadow length to the horizontal space occupied by tilted panels.
This approach ensures maximum space efficiency while avoiding shading during critical times, as the Winter solstice represents the worst-case scenario for shadow length.
Topography for solar PV around Sunderland, United Kingdom
Sunderland, United Kingdom, is located in the northeastern part of England. The topography of the area is characterized by a mix of low-lying plains and gentle hills. The city itself is situated at the mouth of River Wear and has a coastal line along the North Sea.
The region's climate can be described as temperate maritime, with relatively mild winters and cool summers. The area does experience considerable cloud cover throughout the year which may impact solar energy generation.
However, for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, flat or gently sloping areas are ideal to maximize sun exposure. Therefore, low-lying plains in Sunderland could be suitable for such projects.
In terms of specific locations around Sunderland that would be most suited for large-scale solar PV:
1. Areas near Dalton Park: This location northeast of Sunderland has large open spaces that appear to be relatively flat and could potentially accommodate a large-scale solar farm.
2. South towards Easington: This region also contains extensive farmland that might be suitable for solar installation.
3. Coastal areas: While these areas may have some constraints due to their proximity to residential zones or protected natural habitats, they generally receive good sunlight due to lack of shade.
It's important to note that actual suitability would require detailed site surveys taking into account factors like local planning regulations, proximity to power grids for easy transmission of generated electricity, potential impact on local wildlife or ecosystems etc., besides just topography and sunlight availability.
United Kingdom solar PV Stats as a country
United Kingdom ranks 14th in the world for cumulative solar PV capacity, with 13,689 total MW's of solar PV installed. This means that 4.00% of United Kingdom's total energy as a country comes from solar PV (that's 20th in the world). Each year United Kingdom is generating 203 Watts from solar PV per capita (United Kingdom ranks 25th in the world for solar PV Watts generated per capita). [source]
Are there incentives for businesses to install solar in United Kingdom?
Yes, there are several incentives for businesses wanting to install solar energy in the United Kingdom. The UK government offers a Feed-in Tariff (FiT) scheme which pays businesses for every unit of electricity they generate from their solar panels. Additionally, businesses may be eligible for tax reliefs such as Enhanced Capital Allowances and Renewable Heat Incentives. Finally, some local authorities offer grants or other financial support to help businesses with the cost of installing solar energy systems.
Do you have more up to date information than this on incentives towards solar PV projects in United Kingdom? Please reach out to us and help us keep this information current. Thanks!
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Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Saturday 17th of February 2024
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025
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Compare this location to others worldwide for solar PV potential
The solar PV analyses available on our website, including this one, are offered as a free service to the global community. Our aim is to provide education and aid informed decision-making regarding solar PV installations.
However, please note that these analyses are general guidance and may not meet specific project requirements. For in-depth, tailored forecasts and analysis crucial for feasibility studies or when pursuing maximum ROI from your solar projects, feel free to contact us; we offer comprehensive consulting services expressly for this purpose.
Helping you assess viability of solar PV for your site
Calculate Your Optimal Solar Panel Tilt Angle: A Comprehensive Guide
Enhance your solar panel's performance with our in-depth guide. Determine the best tilt angle using hard data, debunk common misunderstandings, and gain insight into how your specific location affects solar energy production.
